Great venue and a great circuit.
Having all the pre-74 cars in the pit garages makes for a nice display. And the weather was near perfect after initially looking like it might be a bit unsettled in the forecast a few days before.
There was parking for other cars outside the pits just by the main entrance so don't know what question someone asked to hear there was no parking ! All non pre '74 cars, trailers, etc had to go to the outfield parking. Not a problem. They allowed those of us on the trackday to park our tow cars with tools etc over in the pit area which made things much easier to manage.
Porsche Club do a good job of organising these events with good hospitality and great staff. Trackday was managed to their normal high standard along with the resident Goodwood Marshals who are always really enthusiastic. We were treated well all day on the trackday with refreshments available all day and a lovely lunch spread included in the track fee.
Some lovely cars on display in the garages. The trackday was under subscribed which was good for all of us taking part but not so good for those spectating and I hope the organisers continue with it for next year and it gets a bit more takers. Just before lunch all the pre'73 cars parked out on the pit straight for a photo op and then after lunch everyone got the chance to do a few convoy laps of the circuit before the trackday session started again.
People who had never driven the circuit really seemed to enjoy it.
Goodwood is an expensive circuit to drive as a trackday due to their over cautious 5 car limit on track. It is easy to do a 5/6 lap session and see no other cars at all. Even 10 cars on tracks would be conservative for the 2.2 mile lap.
I didn't do the evening with Rod & the German bloke who's name I can't recall but people said it was good. The Saturday evening BBQ including drinks was a limited numbers event but, food (& drink !) was great and we got a further session of Q&A with Rod & ??? (It'll come to me later!)
914/6GT was going great guns with its new engine, box, brakes and suspension. Super stable at speed on the scary fast Goodwood corners with no runoff to speak off. The handling was sublime driving at 9/10ths and the suspension really worked all the tyres to the max across their full width on the high speed corners turning them into plasticine ! Not the circuit to be testing the limits of handling unless you like living dangerously, but a great circuit to drive. I hadn't driven it in nearly 20 years. Hasn't changed a bit ! Just like it should be.
I hope they add something extra for next year to spice it up even more, but the great venue, use of the garages for all the 'pre 74 cars, parade laps, plus trackday action was a good formula to build on. The celeb appearances on Friday and Saturday evenings seemed to be popular and the quality of the optional BBQ on Saturday evening was great. It initially looked expensive when I booked, but with all drinks included it suddenly became a bit of a bargain (If I'd known I wouldn't have driven
but Sarah made the most of it
). There were only a couple of trade stands. In that respect it was nothing like Classics at the Castle which had a lot of trade support. Maybe this will come in time. They could add some demo laps to a schedule using some notable period race cars and maybe even offer passenger rides. I gave several people passenger rides. Some I knew, some I didn't, and I think others were doing the same. They just had to pay the £10 registration fee, sign their life away and Goodwood even lent out helmets for people to use. To be honest I don't see why the calendar couldn't cope with both events separated by a couple of months over the summer, given their different formats and locations. I'd go to both
There has to be a first time for everything, and I hope the comments encourage more attendees for next year.